Injury means Cole misses Moldova
September 03, 2012 15:24:58 UK
An ankle injury will keep Ashley Cole out of the clash with Moldova on Friday.Left-back Ashley Cole has been ruled of England's World Cup qualifier against Moldova on Friday, but may be ready for Ukraine four days later.
The 31-year-old Chelsea ace, who has won 98 caps to date, has returned to his club for treatment on an ankle problem, leaving one of Leighton Baines or Ryan Bertrand set to start against Moldova.
A short statement from the FA confirmed: "After reporting to the England hotel on Monday morning, Cole has returned to Chelsea for further treatment.
"Cole has a minor ankle concern and will be treated by his club this week before being assessed by the England medical staff on Sunday to see if he is available for the World Cup qualifier with Ukraine on Tuesday 11th September."
England boss Roy Hodgson already has a number of players absent due to injury, including Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young and Andy Carroll, who suffered a hamstring injury on his West Ham debut at the weekend.
England are 1.30 to make a winning start to their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign in Chisinau and are 7.50 to win 3-0 and 1.66 to keep a clean sheet.
The two nations have previously met on two occasions, during qualifying for the 1998 World Cup, with England winning 3-0 in Chisinau and 4-0 at Wembley just over a year later, with Paul Gascoigne scoring in both games.
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